Brass-furnace



A. FISHER.

BRASS FURNACE. I APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24, 1920.

1,392,317, Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I- E 15... j

A. FISHER.

BRASS FURNACE.

APPLICATION {man FEB. 24, 1920.

Patented oat. 4, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 I I; VEmiEJF ALFRED risnnn or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BRASS-FURNACE;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

Application filed February 24, 1920. Serial N0..360,678.

T 0 all w from it may concern Be it known that I, ALFRED FIsHnn,-acitizen of the United States, and. a resident of the city of Chicago, inthecounty "of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certainnew anduseful Improvements in a firass-Furnace; and I do'hereby declare thatthe follov'ing is a full, clear, and exact description of the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification;

This invention relates to animproved type of a metal furnace adapted formelting brass, bronze, aluminum and other metals in a crucible which isremovably mounted within a lined shell or casing which is removable. asa whole from the furnace frame to permit a new shell or casing to bemount- .ed in place. p p

It is an objectflof this invention to provide a brass furnace whereinthe fire-brick shell is removably clamped in position on a furnaceframe.

It is also-an object of the invention to construct a metal furnacewherein a lined shell or casing is removably clamped on a frame supportbeneath a lid which is ada 3ted .to be elevated and thenswunp; into aposition to permit. removal of said lined cas ing when the same isdamaged or worn out.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a metal. furnacehaving a removable lined casing the fire-brick lining of which. isarrangedin. layers affording projecting shoulders adapted to concentratethe heating flames around a crucible within the casing to evenly heatand melt the metal within the crucible insuring a uni. form reductionofthe charge; f

A further object of the invention is the construction of a brass furnacewherein the layers of fire-brick are arranged to over lap each, otheraffording overhanging shoulders adapted to retain the'spiral heatingflames in the lower portion of the furnace to cause an even heating ofthe furnace crucible. p

It is furthermore an object of the invention to provide a brass furnacewherein a lined shell .is removably clamped upon a supportin frame andclosed by an adjustable lid which is adapted to be elevated and thenswung laterallyto permit replace ment of the'lined shell as a whole whenthe vation.

clamping mechanisms are released and the oil and air supply pipes aredisconnected. it 1S7 an important object of this invention to provide ametal melting furnace of simple and effective construction and where inall. parts of a crucible placed within aremovable lined casing receivethe same heat? i'ng'effect from centrifugal flames which are retained inthe lower portions of the casing by overhanging shoulders formed by thefire-brick lining. V

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparentfrom the disclosures in the drawings and specifica tion.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a brass furnace embodying the principles ofthis invention.

Fig. 2 is atop plan view thereof.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the furnace showing parts inelevation.

g. 4 is a transverse section of the furnace showing the burnermechanisms.

is a fragmentary detail sideview 1 upper portion of one of the casingning clamps.

ig. 6 is a front view of the upper portion thereof with parts insection.

F 7 is a section taken on line 7-7, of Fig. 6, with parts in elevation.y

Fig.8 is'a sectional view'taken on line s s, of Fig. 6. r

Fig. 9 is a detail elevation of a portion of the lid supportingmechanism.

Fig. 1G is a section taken on line 1010, of Fig. 9, showing the verticalshaft in ele- Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11. of Fig.9. i

As shown on the drawings:

The furnace comprises a metal base plate or platform 1, supported bylegs 2, one of which has integrally formed thereon or rigidly securedthereto an upwardly directed arm or elbow 3. An apertured lug or foot 4,is also integrally formed on nsaid leg, and secured in said aperturedlug 4:, is the lower end of avertical rod or shaft 5, which eX-. tendsabove the top of the furnace. The shaft 5, is ri idly supported inposition by a collar or sleeve 6, formed on one of said furnace legs.Supported by the arm 3, is a stub shaft 7, on one end of which a lever8, is secured. Attached to the opposite end of the stub shaft 7, is oneend of a crank or arm 9. Pivotally connected to the second end of thecrank 9, by means of a pin 10, are the lower ends of two parallelconnecting bars or links 11, the upper ends of which are pivotallyconnected to opposite sides of a collar or sleeve 12, slidably engagedon the shaft 5. A circular flange 13, is integrally formed on the upperend of the collar 12, to permit two oppositely positioned hooks 14, tobe adjustably engaged therewith. The hooks 14, are integrally formed onopposite sides of the lower end of a bracket sleeve 15, which isslidab-ly engaged on the shaft 5, above the collar 12. The bracketsleeve 15, is slidably and rotatably adjustable on the shaft 5, sincethe hooks 14, are adapted to slide on the flange 13 of the collar 12,when the bracket sleeve is rotated. Integrally formed at right angles onthe bracket sleeve 15, is a bracket arm 16, to which a furnace lid orcover 17, is secured. The lid 17, is

' provided with a fire-brick liningor filler 18.

The furnace proper comprises a removable casing or shell which isremovable as a whole and normally rests or seats upon the base plate 1.The furnace casing embraces an outer cylindrical wall or jacket 19, madeof metal and provided with a pair of oppositely positioned handles orstaples 2O adapted for removably receiving the hooked ends of hookingcables for lifting the complete furnace casing from the base plate 1.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 5 to 8 inclusive, releasable retaining orclamping mechanisms are provided for securely but releas-, ably holdingthe furnace casing in place upon the base plate 1. Each clampingmechanism comprises a rod 21, the lower threaded end of which projectsthrough an aperture in the base plate 1, while the upper end of said rod21, is bent or curled to form an eye or hook 22, which is engaged on aneccentric pin 23, integrally connectlng the two cylindrical ends 24 and25. A squared head 26, is integrally formed at the outer end of thecylindrical end 25, for receiving a wrench or other tool to permitrotation of the cross-head formed by the members 23--26. Riveted orotherwise rigidly secured to the casing jacket 19, are a plurality ofdouble hooked brackets 27, adapted to removably receive the cross-heads23-26, seated therein. Each clamping rod 21, has a nut 28, threaded ontothe lower projecting end thereof.

The removable furnace casing is provided with a fire-brick lining whichis rigidly secured within the metal jacket 19. Thelining embraces afloor or bottom layer 29, made of fire-clay, fire-brick or othersuitable refractory material which seats or rests upon the metal baseplate 1. Integrally formed centrally upon the fire-brick floor 29, is afire-brick boss or pedestal 30, having a flat top for removably reoeivina crucible 31, as shown in Fig. 3. Secure y mounted upon the floor 29,in superimposed relation, are three layers or rings of fire-brick 32, 33and 34 respectively. Each fire-brick ring is provided with r a centralopening 35, which is conical in shape and converges downwardly affordingoverhanging shoulders or ledges 36. The reference numeral 37, indicatesa slag chamber formed in the lowerfire-brick ring 32. A door 38, isprovided to close the slag chamber 37. As shown in Fig. 3, the pedestal30, is of a height to permit the upper-open end of the crucible 31, toreach to within a short distance from the top of the intermediate ormiddle fire-brick ring 33. A fire-brick flue pipe 39, is provided in theupper fire-brick ring 34.

The furnace is provided with one or more blast-burners. In the form offurnace shown two blast-burners 40, are provided adapted for the use ofcrude oil, for gas or for any suitable hydrocarbon. Each blastburner issecured to project into the middle fire-brick ring 33, and is directedinwardly and obliquely downwardly and approximately tangentially withthe inner wall of the furnace as shown in Fig. 4. Each blast-burner 40,is provided with a needle valve 41, which is removably connected by aiemovable coupling or connector 42, to an oil or hydrocarbon supply pipe43. Also removably connected by means of a removable coupling orconnector 44, to each of the blast-burners 40, is an air-blast pipe 45,provided with a control valve 46. The air-blast pipe may be connectedwith any suitable type of blower.

The operation is as follows:

There are two very important features to this invention, the first beingthe novel construction permitting the furnace casing to be removed as awhole from the supporting frame to allow a new furnace casing to beinserted in place. The second'feature of the invention is the peculiarconstruction of the fire-brick rings which are provided with downwardlytapering openings affording a plurality of over-hanging shouldersadapted to choke the heating flames in the fire-pot and cause the flamesto remain in the lower portion of the furnace fire-pot around thecrucible to evenly heat all portions of the crucible.

To fill the furnace the lid 17 is swung to'one side about the shaft 5,and the metals to be treated are placed within the crucible which isremovably seated upon the pedestal 30. The lid is then moved to closedposition and the blast-burners are lighted. By regulating the burner oilvalves 41 and the air valve 46, the required air blast and the amount ofhydrocarbon used may be regulated for obtaining the desired'temperaturewithin the furnace; Inasmuch as'the blast is directed obliquely anddownwardly against the inner wall of the lower firebrick ring 32, of thefurnace, a centrifugal blast is sent around the lower'portion ofthecrucible 31, exerting a maximum heating effect. The over-hangingshoulder 36, formed by the intermediate fire-brick ring 33, serves tochoke the centrifugal blast to retain the same in the lower portion ofthe furnace. Parts of the-blast entering the chamber of the intermediatefire-brick 33, pass around the upper portion of the crucible, and arechoked by the upper over-hanging shoulder 36, formed by the upper-'firebrick ring 34. It will thus be seen that the novel construction ofthe fire-brick rings affords an arrangement whereby the blast flamesdirected into the crucible chamber of the furnace are concentratedaround the lower portion of the crucible due to the successive chokingeffect caused by the overhanging shoulders 36. The metal within thecrucible is thus quickly and uniformly melted. The. gases and fumesresulting from the melting operation. are permitted to escape throughthe flue 39, which may be provided with any desired damper forregulating and controlling the draft in the same. When the metal isthoroughly reduced the lid is swung to one side and the crucible isremoved by suitable tongs to permit pouring of; the molten metal. Anyslag or molten. metal which may find its way into the furnace casingaround the crucible is permitted to accumulate in the slag chamber 37,from which it may be removed by opening the door-38 Should the linedfurnace casing become damaged or worn to such an extent that further useof the furnace is impossible, the easing may be readily removedandreplaced by a new one. The removal of the casing as a whole from thesupporting frame of the furnace is accomplished by pushing clownwardlyon the lever 8, which acts to operate the crank 9 and the connectinglinks 11. The links 11, serve to slide the collar 12, upwardly on theshaft 5, thereby elevating the bracket sleeve 15, and the furnace lid 17The elevated lid is next swung about the shaft 5, away from thetop ofthe furnace casing. The hooks 14, of the bracket sleeve 15, permit saidsleeve to rotate with respect to the flanged collar 12. The next step inthe removal of the lined furnace casing is to partially release the nuts28, to permit the brace or clamping rods 21, to be slightly elevated topermit the cross-heads 2326, to be lifted out of engagement with thehooked brackets 27. The pipe connectors 42 and 44, are next disconnectedfrom the blastburners. The books of a hoisting cable may now be engagedin the casing handles or ho'oks'20, and the furnace casing may be liftedfrom the furnace supporting frame.

In placing a new or repaired furnace casing upon the base plate '1, thecasing is lowcred into its proper position and the cross: heads 2326,are seated in the hooked brackets 27 The nuts 28, are then tightened tosecure the casing in place. For the purpose of clamping the casing verysecurely upon the base plate 1, a wrench is used to engage the squaredheads 26, to rotate the same and thereby cause the eccentric pins 23, tomove into their upper position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. Thisoperation causes the rods 21, to be tensioned thereby clamping thefurnace casing securely upon the base plate 1. The oil and air pipes arenow connected to the blast-burners by means of the connectors 42 and 44.By elevating the lever 8, the lid is again lowered into its normalposition to permit the same to be swung in a horizontal plane to closethe furnace casing after the crucible has been put in place. 7

I am aware that numerous details of construction may be varied through awide range without departing from the principles of this invention, andI therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise thannecessitated by the prior art.

- I claim as my invention:

1. A furnace of the'class, described having a fire-pot provided with aplurality of'horizontal over-hanging shoulders, and peripherally anddownwardly directed blastburners opening obliquely through the side ofthe furnace adapted to direct reducing flames centrifugally around thefurnace crucible, said flames adapted to be-choked by said overhangingshoulders to cause an even heating and reduction of the metal in saidcrucible. V

2. A furnace comprising a supporting frame, a lined furnace casing, andmeans for drawing the casing tightly down upon said frame.

3. A furnace comprising a supporting frame, a lined furnace casingsupported thereon, brackets on said casing, bolts connecting said framewith said brackets, and eccentric members on said bolts and engagingsaid brackets for removably clamping said casing in position.

4. A brass furnace comprising a supporting frame, a lined casingsupported thereon, mechanisms for removably clamping said casing on saidframe, and a lid supported on said frame for closing said casing.

5. A melting furnace embracing a sup porting frame, a lined casingremovably supported thereon, means for releasably clamping said casingin place, a horizontally adjustable lid supported on said frame, and

means on said frame for vertically adjusting said lid to move the sameout of the way to permit removal of said casing from the supportingframe.

6. A melting furnace embracing a supporting frame, a fire-brick casingremovably seated thereon, means for releasably clamp- .ing said casingin place, blast-burners directed into the casing walls for directingblast-flames in the casing fire-pot, hydrocarbon and air blast pipesremovably connected wit-h said blast-burners, and a horizontally andvertically adjustable lid supported on said frame for closing saidcasing.

7. A furnace comprising a supporting frame, ,a fire-brick casingremovably clamped thereon, a shaft support-ed on said frame, meansrotatably and slidably mounted on said shaft, a lid secured to saidmeans for closing said casing, and a mechanism mounted on said frame andconnected With said means adapted to be operated tocause slidableadjustment of said means on said shaft for adjusting the lid withrespect to said casing. g

8. A furnace comprising a supporting frame, a furnace lid adjustablysupported on said frame, and a fire-brick casing removably supported inplace between said frame and lid.

9. A meltin furnace comprising a frame, a fire-brick casing supportedthereon, a shaft on said frame, a bracket rotatably engaged on saidshaft, a lid secured to said bracket and adjustable therewith in ahorizontal plane, and lever operated means on said frame and connectedwith said bracket adapted to be operated to cause a vertical adjustmentof said bracket and lid.

10. A melting furnace comprising a supporting frame, a furnace casing onsaid frame, and eccentric mechanisms for removably clamplng said casingon sald frame.

11. In a furnace of the class descrlbed the combination with asupporting frame, of a melting casing thereon adapted to be removed as awhole to permit a new casing to replacethe same. a

12. In a. melting furnace the combination with a furnacecasing, of afire-brick lining therein provided with a plurality of hori- :zontalover-hanging shoulders adapted to concentrate blast-flames in the tionofthe, casing nace crucible.

13. In a melting furnace the combination with a furnace casing, of afire-brick lining therein comprising a plurality of superim posedfire-brick rings having downwardly taperin central openings thereinaffording a plura ity of over-hanging blast-flame choking shoulders.

14. A furnace casing comprising a metal jacket, a fire-brick liningsecured therein comprisin fire-brick rings having conical openingstherein forming a fire-pot having a plurality of over-hanging chokingshoulders therein.

15. A furnace having a lining therein comprising a fire-brick floor, apedestal integrally formed thereon for supporting a crucible, and apluralit offire-brick rings supported one above t e other upon saidfloor, said rings having conical openings therein affording over-hangingShoulders.

16. In a meltin furnace the combination with the side wal sthereof, ofone or more blast-burners opening. therethrough and directed bothtangentially and downwardly, and a fire-brick lining in said furnaceformed to provide a fire-pot having overhanging shoulders therein forconcentrating the blast-flames from said blast-burners in the lowerportion of the fire-pot. I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof a subscribing witness.

ALFRED FISHER.

lower porfire-pot around the fur- Witness:

FRED E. PAnsLnR.

